Chapter 17: Stepping Up

Song Heo-jun, like an excited puppy, bounced around greeting the staff before sitting in his designated chair.

Director Kang Jo-jo asked, “Hey, Director Jo-jo! My condition’s always fantastic, you know. Speaking of condition, it’s Song Heo-jun.”

“I know.”

“But Director, you cast rookies this time?”

Having worked with Kang Jo-jo before, Song Heo-jun knew how much he disliked rookies. So he probed a bit.

“They’re good actors.”

“Whaaat?”

“They were the best rookies at the audition.”

‘I figured their acting was decent since they were cast, but he’s more positive than I expected?’

As Song Heo-jun stood there, stunned, a dazzling figure arrived.

“Heo-jun-ah.”

It was Yoon Hee-ae, the female lead of Save Me. Exuding a refined aura with thin glasses, she hugged Kang Jo-jo in greeting.

“Director, it’s been a while.”

“Been a while for me too, Hee-ae-ssi.”

“This drama feels like it’ll do well. The script’s great, and so is the director.”

“Haha… I hope so.”

Kang Jo-jo’s voice trembled, still uncertain. Yoon Hee-ae seized the moment.

“Are the new actors’ skills lacking?”

“…No, that’s not it.”

“Then we’re good. Actors need to have acting skills.”

Her sharp words made Kang Jo-jo and Song Heo-jun cough awkwardly.

“Want some water?”

Both shook their heads simultaneously.

“But where are the other actors?”

With the script reading nearing, rookies Im Bada and Ko Eun-hyuk hadn’t arrived.

As Yoon Hee-ae’s face grew stern, Kang Jo-jo quickly answered, “…Im Bada-ssi and Ko Eun-hyuk-ssi were here earlier. They went out to rehearse and should be back soon.”

Rehearsing? Song Heo-jun thought he’d arrived early, unaware they were already here.

“Hello!”

“Sorry we’re late.”

Just then, Im Bada and Ko Eun-hyuk entered, bowing 90 degrees.

“Ho?”

Song Heo-jun propped his chin, smiling leisurely as if observing curious animals.

★★★

A few hours earlier.

As soon as I entered the set, I greeted the staff.

“Hello, I’m Im Bada. Nice to work with you.”

“Hello, Actor-nim!”

“Oh! Hello, Im Bada Actor-nim. That white tee and jeans look great on you!”

After exchanging greetings, I sat in my chair. Shortly after, Ko Eun-hyuk arrived.

“…Ah.”

Without an agency or manager, he came alone, looking unwell.

“H-Hello, I’m K-Ko Eun-hyuk.”

Sweating, pale, and trembling, his state made it hard for me to focus on the script.

I shifted my gaze from the script to him.

“Eun-hyuk-ssi? Are you really nervous?”

“…Uh, Bada-ssi. Hello?”

“We already greeted earlier.”

“Oh, r-right.”

He nodded slightly, looking at me.

“It’s my first script reading, so I’m nervous…”

“…..”

“And with sunbaes here, I’m even more nervous.”

‘I can’t fix that for him.’

Then, a sub-quest window flashed above Ko Eun-hyuk’s face.

[Sub-Quest Activated.]

[Sub-Quest: Build chemistry with Ko Eun-hyuk.]

[Reward: 0.5 Points]

Build chemistry with Ko Eun-hyuk? I stared at the window, thinking.

‘Why this sub-quest?’

I didn’t mean to glare at him, but…

“Why… are you staring at me?”

“Wait.”

“Okay.”

A drama doesn’t succeed just because one person acts well. Everyone needs to shine for it to gain buzz and succeed.

I’ve been there.

If even one main or supporting actor underperforms, the drama takes a hit.

And he, my partner, was at risk of being that actor.

“Wanna rehearse with me?”

“…Huh?”

He waved his hands, declining, but I insisted.

“It might calm you down a bit.”

“…Won’t that waste your time, Bada-ssi? Instead of rehearsing with me, you could review the script…”

“It’s fine. Let’s go!”

I signaled Ko Eun-hyuk to head out. Grabbing the script, we went to the quiet hallway and opened it.

“Which part was hardest when practicing alone?”

“…Uh, I felt disconnected from Min Do-hyuk.”

His character, Min Do-hyuk, is a third-generation chaebol from ND Corporation, living respectably for his parents. The sensitive, sharp Min Do-hyuk was worlds apart from Ko Eun-hyuk’s personality.

“Which part was toughest?”

“I don’t know how to order people around or give commands.”

Ko Eun-hyuk needed image training. Explaining the character verbally wouldn’t help him understand.

After thinking, I asked, “Who’s the most commanding person you know?”

“…Uh.”

He thought for a moment, then let out a small “Ah.”

“My noona.”

Noona?

“You have a noona?”

“…Yeah. She’s always bossing me around.”

Then we could use her as inspiration. A great idea hit me, and I explained slowly.

“How about acting while thinking of your noona?”

“…My noona?”

He seemed thrown by the suggestion, staying silent for a while.

“…My noona as inspiration. She’s kind of like Min Do-hyuk… Why?”

Recalling his noona, his demeanor shifted subtly. From timid and gentle, he became direct, confident, locking eyes boldly.

‘Looks like he’s getting a feel for the character.’

While he immersed himself, I flipped to a scene where Ewha-won and Min Do-hyuk reunite as adults after childhood.

[#60. N Restaurant

(Subtitle: 15 Years Later) Young Min Do-hyuk and Ewha-won stand in the restaurant. The scene shifts to adult Min Do-hyuk and Ewha-won frowning at each other.

Min Do-hyuk: (frowning) “Ewha-won?”

Ewha-won: “Min Do-hyuk?”

Min Do-hyuk: (quietly staring at Ewha-won, lips closed.)

– A restaurant staff sets water and food, then returns to their spot. Min Do-hyuk quietly drinks water.

Min Do-hyuk: (in a calm tone) “Everyone’s only looking at you?”

– Ewha-won glances around, sits, and crosses her legs.

Ewha-won: (sighing) “My unnie’s blind date is you?”

Min Do-hyuk: “Yeah.”

Ewha-won: “Why’d you come?”

Min Do-hyuk: (dryly) “Guess. I wanted to see someone.”

Ewha-won: (slightly frowning) “My unnie?”]

Their first adult meeting, blending childhood emotions with the strangeness of adulthood.

The nervous, sweaty Ko Eun-hyuk was gone, replaced by the relaxed Min Do-hyuk I envisioned.

“Ewha-won?”

His steady gaze and deep, leisurely voice were spot-on.

His eye control and tone were strikingly close to my image of Min Do-hyuk.

‘Image training worked.’

But his hands still trembled slightly.

“Let’s keep going. We’ve got time.”

★★★

As Im Bada and Ko Eun-hyuk sat, a hush fell over the reading set. Breaking the silence, Director Kang Jo-jo and Writer Lee Mi-na stood.

“Hello, I’m the quiet director, Kang Jo-jo.”

“Hello, I’m the loud drama writer, Lee Mi-na!”

Applause from actors and staff followed, and lead actress Yoon Hee-ae introduced herself first.

“I’m Yoon Hee-ae, playing Lee In-hwa in Save Me. It’s been a while since I played a chaebol third-gen, so please give me sharp feedback if my acting’s off.”

In a white shirt, slacks, and silver-rimmed glasses, she exuded intelligence.

“My turn?”

Song Heo-jun sprang up like a shonen manga hero, smiling and bowing.

“I’m Song Heo-jun, playing Seo Min-sung, Lee In-hwa’s slave. A huge fan of Lee Mi-na’s writing and Kang Jo-jo’s directing, I’m deeply attached to this project. I’ll give it my all. Thank you!”

He made a finger heart and sat, lightening the heavy mood.

Next was Im Bada.

“Hello, I’m Im Bada, playing Ewha-won, the female lead’s psychopath-like sister. I’ll do my best. Thank you.”

Lee Mi-na shouted “Im Bada!” in support of her straightforward introduction.

Then came the trembling Ko Eun-hyuk.

“Hello, I’m Ko Eun-hyuk, playing Min Do-hyuk. I’ll immerse myself in the chaebol third-gen role. Thank you so much.”

While bowing, he accidentally banged his head on the table.

“S-Sorry!”

As everyone settled and opened their scripts, the chaotic vibe turned solemn.

Since Song Heo-jun’s scenes were later, he could observe the others’ acting first.

Glancing up, he alternated between Yoon Hee-ae and Im Bada. She had the first line—a long one. This would show her skill.

The poised Im Bada vanished, her eyes narrowing as she held the script with one hand.

“…Ha.”

A small, low sigh drew attention to her acting.

“Unnie, I don’t have time to play with you. Get to the point.”

Her voice and tone elevated a potentially childish line. For a rookie, she could’ve faltered at the first line.

Yoon Hee-ae turned slightly, grabbing the ends of Im Bada’s hair, rubbing them gently.

“I want to play with our Ewha-won.”

“…..”

“Not your sister, huh?”

Those who’d worked with Yoon Hee-ae would’ve noticed—she was trying to control Im Bada’s acting with unnecessary actions.

All eyes were on Im Bada. How would she respond?

★★★

‘Is she testing me now?’

Yoon Hee-ae’s sudden move almost made me stop. But I knew—she was known for dominating her co-stars’ performances.

A nasty habit.

Getting dragged along would be boring. She probably thought so too.

I subtly pulled back, rejecting her touch, then propped my chin leisurely, meeting her gaze head-on.

“Shady, unnie.”

I let a slight smile curl my lips.

Ewha-won, with her twisted personality, loves Lee In-hwa as her sister but rebels and acts meaner because of it.

“You want to play with me? You? Just tell me to get lost. Your tone’s gross.”

“Gross? To your unnie?”

“I’m your sister, aren’t I? Guess who I got it from?”

After that, Yoon Hee-ae stuck to the script, no more antics, showing no negativity toward me.

‘Did she like my acting?’

Now that Yoon Hee-ae and I were done, it was Ko Eun-hyuk’s turn.

“…So, you’re saying.”

His acting was decent, but still stiff. Song Heo-jun smiled brightly at him.

“Yeah, I’m your hyung. Nice to meet you, little bro.”

As Ko Eun-hyuk continued, his tension eased, and his acting improved. After a few minutes, Kang Jo-jo raised his hand.

“Let’s take a 10-minute break.”

The actors sighed, drank water, or stepped out for the restroom.

“Bada-ssi?”

“Yes?”

Yoon Hee-ae spoke to me first.

“You acted well.”

“…Oh, thank you!”

“Hearing about your skills was one thing, but seeing it live was great. I even liked how you didn’t let me overshadow you.”

In my past life, Yoon Hee-ae was known for not speaking to actors who couldn’t act.

She’d been criticized as a child actor and hated working with bad actors.

She’d said so on a variety show.

‘Good thing she liked it.’

As I reviewed the script, Song Heo-jun chimed in.

“Bada-ssi, you’ve caught our Hee-ae noona’s eye, huh?”